Hornsby Shire Council has endorsed a Planning Proposal aimed at strengthening the local economy and increasing employment opportunities across the Shire, following last night's General Meeting.
The Planning Proposal is expected to unlock new opportunities for local businesses and workers by increasing the range and diversity of employment options and services available across the Shire.
By enabling a broader mix of commercial and industrial activities in strategic locations, the Proposal supports the creation of job types ranging from retail and hospitality to advanced manufacturing and logistics. It also aims to attract investment, support small business growth, and ensure the Shire's industrial precincts are better equipped to accommodate modern facilities and meet future workforce needs.
Key amendments include:
- Active street frontages: New developments in local centres will be required to include active street frontages, promoting pedestrian activity and enhancing the vibrancy of town centres.
- Light industries in local centres: Light industries – such as those that don't create noise and smells – will be permitted in most larger local centres, increasing flexibility and employment diversity without impacting neighbourhood amenity.
- Serviced apartments floor space exclusion: Serviced apartments will no longer count toward non-residential floor space calculations, helping preserve commercial space for employment-generating uses.
- Food and drink premises size limit: Food and drink premises in industrial zones will be capped at 150sqm to ensure industrial land remains available for core employment uses.
- Increased building heights: Parts of selected industrial precincts (Mount Kuring-Gai, Asquith, Thornleigh, and Dural) will see building height limits raised to 20 metres, enabling modern industrial facilities.
- Higher floor space ratio in Dural: The Dural Industrial Precinct will have its floor space ratio increased from 0.7:1 to 1:1, unlocking greater development potential.
The Employment Lands Planning Proposal will be submitted to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for review. If approved, it will be publicly exhibited alongside the draft Hornsby Development Control Plan 2024 amendments.
Hornsby Shire Deputy Mayor Janelle McIntosh welcomed the Proposal, stating: "This is a proactive step toward ensuring Hornsby Shire remains a competitive and attractive place for local business and employment. The changes will help us ensure the vibrancy and vitality of our local centres while giving more flexibility in our industrial precincts. This will enable us to meet future demand while protecting the character and function of our employment lands."
Also at last night's meeting, Council:
- On receiving a Mayoral Minute, raised by Deputy Mayor McIntosh, resolved to recognise the recent significant anniversaries of community organisations with a simple event at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre in September 2025
- Acknowledged through an additional Mayoral Minute raised by the Deputy Mayor, the resignation and significant achievements of Mr James Farrington, Director of Planning and Compliance, who leaves Council after 30 years of service to Hornsby Shire
- Re-appointed local members on the Sydney North Planning Panel and extended the term of appointment of expert members and community representatives on the Hornsby Local Planning Panel
- Adopted the new Enforcement Policy and the reviewed Community, Environment, and Planning and Compliance Division current policies and codes
- Resolved to write to the NSW Minister for the Environment and local State Members outlining Council's previously expressed view concerning the conservation significance of 79-87 Malton Road, Beecroft and requesting consideration of submissions by residents requesting the State Government seek to purchase the land, following a Notice of Motion from Councillor Tilbury
- Responded to a Question with Notice from Councillor Tilbury about the financial spend on the rehabilitation of Hornsby Quarry to Hornsby Park, noting large grants and some development contributions
- Received and noted the contents of the Director's Report on investments and borrowings for the period ending 30 June 2025
- Noted that Councillor expenses and facilities for the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 20205 have been tabled.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from Friday afternoon.
